President's Report 2025 - 2026
Our Rotary year started off with the club helping the Alexandra Lions Club in a joint renovation project. A local family in need reached out to the Lions and the Lions asked if we could help too.
A successful joint effort.
A successful joint effort.
We made a financial donation to the Alexandra Little Athletics Club which was much appreciated by the parents and children, going towards their line marking and costs, and other supplies.
The 2000/2025 Rotary Time Capsule was a big success with many locals finding out what they had left buried 25 years ago and then had the opportunity to either re-bury their 2000 contents or have a new one. Interest in the new 2050 Time Capsule was very popular and a nice little fundraiser.
November led us to a purple Anti- Domestic Violence campaign that also had other clubs in the district participating in. In cooperation with the Murrindindi Shire Council and Community Hub we held an awareness and information Friday at Rotary Park followed by a free awareness BBQ at Yenkens Hardware on Saturday. Both were successful in raising awareness of this important issue. We plan to continue this event in the 26/27 year.
Support and cooperation with Foundation Murrindindi and their Food Share program was also continued this past year. In warmer months we had tea, coffee & a sausage sizzle and in the colder months, hot soup and bread. We generally had a good turnout and feedback from the patrons using Food Share.
Late in 2025 there was some discussion in the club about helping with a project at the Tramway Museum. Friday Jan 9 changed all that.
The devastating Longwood bushfire that tore through our local bush, pastoral land and communities gave the club a 100% focus on help for those most affected. A relief and spend local voucher system that had been in place in 2009 was quickly revised and implemented.
Local businesses were briefed on how to accept them and a pick up centre was established with the help of the local Woodworkers guild. (The Woodies) The Woodies helped us immensely with support and resources.
The voucher system worked very well and was highly regarded in the community giving Alex Rotary a high profile in the local area. We are also very very thankful to the many individuals, businesses and Rotary clubs far and wide that donated to our bushfire relief fund.
Another successful joint effort with the local Lions was to have a function to thank the local CFA brigades. This was done as an afternoon function at On Point Brewery with light food, drinks and a band to entertain us. Not all the CFA members could make it but was much appreciated by those who attended. Thank you to the Lions for their support!
Great team effort! Another very positive response from the community! In collaboration with Murrindindi Council, Alexandra Rotary has this week drawn attention to the scourge of Domestic and Family Violence.  |
March 26 saw another successful Dindi Daze, music fun and community day.
The light rain failed to dampen the spirits and all who attended told us they loved having such a great community event.
Our 56th annual art show had Rotary change tack with our advertisers and sponsors. Considering what the community had gone through and was still going through we decided to have free advertising and sponsorship for the art show. This was well received and many local businesses decided to donate as well. Our art work numbers and attendance were similar to last year which still gave the club a nice profit to use going forward. Well done to all involved!
Our last group function of the Rotary year was to provide a dinner for the Yarck community at the Yarck Hall. It was thought pizzas would be fun and we were able to get enough pizza pans together along with all the ingredients for up to 60 pizzas. The community came along and had a great night. Thank you to the Yarck Hall committee for that opportunity.
As I have said before, having had an eventful year was an understatement. Thank you to all Rotarians & friends of the club for their help and support during the past year.
We look forward to continuing our good work in the 2026/27 Rotary Year with Debbie Skinner as president and thanks to everyone for supporting me as president.
We look forward to continuing our good work in the 2026/27 Rotary Year with Debbie Skinner as president and thanks to everyone for supporting me as president.
John Allcock